Year of the Dragon

According to the Chinese zodiac, this is the Year of the DRAGON. According to Pantone, this is also the year of Tangerine Tango, a vibrant shade that blends the most energetic qualities of pink, red and orange. The pairing somehow seems fortuitous…

The year is supposed to be one full of powerful energy and productivity. What an inspiring forecast! I’m helping the mystical Dragon along by attacking my personal resolutions with vigor. Yarn is my life, and here at Skacel, we ADORE a strong red. I didn’t have to search very hard to find a gorgeous selection of this elusive but incredibly dynamic shade. Pictured above, clockwise from left: HiKoo Simpliworsted in #16 Gypsy Red, Zitron Filisilk in #3004 Red, Schulana Cashmere Moda in #5, Schulana Kid Seta #7 Burnt Orange, HiKoo Timidity in Gypsy Red/Milk Chocolate, Zitron Nimbus in Tomato, Zitron Unisono Solid in #1159, HiKoo Simplicity in Ghost Chili, Schoppel-Wolle Zauberwolle in #1701 Ombre.

I hope this pile of glowy goodness is inspiring. I think I have just enough time to whip up a Twin Cities Headband before VK Live in NYC. It’s sure to be cold, and I’d love to broadcast my color obsession and keep warm at the same time. If you spot me wearing it, come and say hello and I might have a surprise for you…

CR

In Lieu of Snow

I am heading into my first winter here in Seattle, and I must say, I miss snow! It could be the visual thrill of a sparkling expanse of clean white, or the noise dampening effects of a fresh blanket of cold powder. It could be the fun of trudging through suddenly silent woods, or the cozy feeling of being trapped indoors while a storm rages outside.

I recently designed a simple cowl that could be knit in one snowbound evening. It calls for 4 balls of Schulana Cortina Nuvole, a yarn that reminds me of freshly fallen snow–soft, fluffy and light. Download the free Columbia Cowl pattern here.

I’ll be heading back East to celebrate the holidays with family, and I’m crossing my fingers for some snowfall. Until then I’ll content myself with holiday nail varnishes and my Yuletide board on Pinterest…

Hope your winter is looking magical wherever you are…

Cirilia

The Winners’ Circle

The first Progressive Needles Knit-Along project is done! The Triplicity Shawl is an adorable skill-building shawlette knit with HiKoo Simplicity, a soft, washable DK-weight yarn that comes in a wide range of over 50 solid shades and nearly a dozen multicolor options.

Playing along with the KAL means that you get a free pattern with lots of in-depth tutorials by Michelle Hunter, but it also means PRIZES! We offer weekly prizes by hiding clues on our websites. Anyone can play, but to qualify for the monthly prizes, you have to knit-along and send us pictures of your finished projects. Learn more here, and check out our October winners:

1st Place goes to Rose Weckesser of Columbus, OH (upper left). She wins a set of Turbo Clicks and she purchased her KAL yarn from Knitting Temptations in Dublin, OH.

2nd Place goes to Loretta Magers of Prospect, OH (upper right). She wins a Skacel Goody Bag and she purchased her KAL yarn from Spin a Yarn Fiber Garden in Marion, OH.

3rd Place goes to Miriam Yarnall of Dayton, OH (middle left). She wins a Skacel Goody Bag and she purchased her KAL yarn from Fiberwild in Galena, IL.

4th Place goes to Dagmar Eriksson of Ortonville, MI (middle right). She wins a Skacel Goody Bag and she purchased her KAL from Beyond the Rainforest in Grand Blanc, MI.

5th Place goes to Abby Mroczenski of Des Plaines, IL (lower left). She wins a Skacel Goody Bag and she purchased her KAL yarn from Mosaic Yarn Studio in Des Plaines, IL.

I know that the second project is already underway. To catch up with the KAL, visit Michelle’s blog.

CR

Bookworm

I recently moved into a new house. Moving twice in one year, not very fun. Getting my very first dedicated crafting space? Extremely fun! The very first thing I did was unpack my most used, most loved craft books. I usually arrange by height, but this time I tried something new, something borrowed from one of my favorite yarn shops, Purl Soho. Even though I’m 3000 miles away, I consider it an LYS. They arrange their yarn chromatically and I really love the effect that sorting method has on my books:

I always love getting a peek at other people’s bookshelves, so I thought you might like to take a peek at mine. Some of my current and/or enduring favorites:

• Built by Wendy Coats and Jackets by Wendy Mullins
• Knitter’s Almanac by Elizabeth Zimmerman
• The Knitted Odd-Bod Bunch by Donna Wilson
• The Fashion File by Janie Bryant
• Second-Time Cool by Anna-Stina Linden Ivarsson et al.
• Anything by Kim Hargreaves
• The Knitter’s Handbook by Monste Stanely
• The Gentle Art of Domesticity by Jane Brocket
• Fashion Forecasting by Evelyn L. Brannon
• I Love Your Style by Amanda Brooks
• Aran Knitting by Alice Starmore

What are some of your favorites?

CR

Cold Weather Knits

From autumnal sweaters to wintery woolens, take a closer look at recently published patterns that call for yarns distributed by Skacel. Click on each photo to get more details.

Autobahn by Kate Gilbert, knit in Zitron Nimbus. Pattern available in Twist Collective, Fall 2011

Ramona Cowl by Melissa Lemmons, knit in Austermann Step Classic & Schoppel Wolle Zauberball. Pattern available in Knitscene Winter 2011.

Kent by Katya Wilsher, knit in Zitron Gobi. Pattern available in Twist Collective Fall 2011.

Ribbon Cable Cardi by Helen Sharp, knit in Schulana Kid-Seta and Zitron Ecco. Pattern available in Vogue Knitting Fall 2011.

Brier Toque by Cecily Glowick MacDonald, knit in Schoppel Wolle Zauberball Crazy. Pattern available in Weekend Hats.

Gathered Collar Pullover by Katya Frankel, knit in Schulana Sumerino and Schulana Kid-Seta. Pattern available in knit.wear 2011.

Watercolor Beret by Carol J. Sulcowski, knit in Schoppel Wolle Zauberball. Pattern available in Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2011.

Friendly Grey by Jutta Buecker, knit in Zitron Mistral & Zitron Nimbus. Pattern available in Knitty #37 Deep Fall 2011.

Snowfall Sweater by Jill Draper, knit in Schulana Cortina Nuvole. Pattern available in Interweave Knits Fall 2011.

Nordic Mittens by Lone Smevik Soleng, knit in Schulana Cashmere Fino. Pattern available in Vogue Knitting Fall 2011.

What will be first on your needles?…

CR

The New Girl

Hi everyone! I’m Cirilia Rose,  the newest member of the Skacel family.  I am so excited to be starting as Jr. Creative Director. So much has happened since I started here, I am just now getting a moment to bring you up to speed.

Soon after I arrived, I was joined by a couple of very lucky fellow New Englanders. Having recently moved to Seattle from Providence,  I was tickled to meet Vermonters and Progressive Needles KAL Grand Prize Winners Kitty and Linda.  They were able to spend some time with the staff here and hand-select their very own prizes, $1000 worth of yarn! We were all very curious to see what they would select, and they stayed true to their sock knitting hearts, selecting a healthy sampling from the gargantuan Skacel sock yarn family. After their yarn spree was complete, they hit the town with Karin and Marcy. See more pictures from their Seattle adventures here.

A few weeks later, Skacel headed south to make an appearance at Vogue Knitting Live in Los Angeles. Rob and Chuck ran several fashion shows and I taught lots of classes, (in between yoga sessions and celebrity sightings). It was a highly glamorous way to kick off the prime knitting season.

Last but not least, I figure the best way to introduce myself would be to flash my stash! My very first Skacel stash, to be more specific. As you might imagine, working at a yarn company has its perks.  One of the very best is plentiful yarn, and birthdays at Skacel are celebrated with sweet treats and free yarn. I was lucky enough to be on the receiving end of this perk in my very first month on the job. Here are my picks:

• An Addi Lace Clicks set. I love my Turbo Clicks, but the Lace clicks are AMAZING. I have all the speed of the Turbo finish with shorter but more pointed tips (and a chic cocoa brown case). I’m zooming through my deadline knits and loving every minute of it.

•  3 skeins of Simplicity in #050 Forestry. I saw several co-workers working on a cute little project and I was hooked! I’ll be knitting along with the Progressive Needles KAL.

• 2 skeins of Zauberball Crazy, one in #2092 and one in #1660. I have big plans for this one! After getting all wrapped up (and subsequently disappointed) by the Missoni for Target collection, I found myself craving hectic, prismatic stripes, the more colors the better!

PHEW. So much excitement, and I’m just getting started. Keep an eye out for a lot more excitement to come.

Cirilia

Knitting in Haiti

skacel is always happy to help out those in need, especially knitters in need.  So when Denise Gideon informed us of the philanthropic knitting adventure she was to about to embark on, skacel was eager to help out.

Denise Gideon went down to Haiti in February to teach a small group of women how to knit.  She taught them to knit a shopping bag with circular needles.  It is her hopes that the women hold on to this skill in order to knit projects they can sell in the near future.

skacel was happy to donate circular needles so that the women would have a quality needle to learn with and keep for future projects.  We would also like to thank Denise for making the world a better place one stitch at a time.

Way to go Denise!

The New Guy Goes to TNNA

Hello everyone!  My name is Chuck, and I am the new Skacel employee.  For those of you who are wondering – no, I am not Karin’s husband – that position was already taken!  I am, however, the Director of New Product Research and Development.  It is my job to help Skacel determine what yarns and products fiber enthusiasts want to buy and which will sell best for local yarn shops.  This new position combines my two passions – knitting and research.  I have been an avid knitter for almost four years, and I have been working in the research industry for over twelve.  I am very fortunate to be able to say this truly is my dream job!

To make a great first week on the job even better, at the end of last week I got to attend TNNA in Long Beach, California.  TNNA is The National NeedleArts Association, and one of the many things this organization does is put on trade shows for yarn shop owners to see what’s new in the needlearts world.  Everyone in the industry attends – so it was amazing to see and meet so many famous knitters!

I got to meet celebrated designers like Cat Bordhi, Lily Chin, Nicky Epstein, Sandi Prosser and Mary Beth Temple.  I met editors of magazines I love to read – Kara Gott Warner (Creative Knitting), Eunny Jang (Interweave Knits), Renee Lorion (Vogue Knitting), Rick Mondragon (Knitter’s), Carla Scott (Vogue Knitting), Erin Slonaker (YMN) and Penelope Taylor (Knit ‘n Style).  And what an honor to meet the Ravelry folks – thank you Jessica, Casey, Mary-Heather and Sarah for creating and running such an amazing knitting resource and source of inspiration! 

Me (in the tan shirt) and some great knitting ladies – L to R: Lorajean (aka KnittedWit), Deb (aka Stitchy McYarnpants), Mary-Heather (aka RainyDayGoods), Anna, Erin (aka MintyFreshFlavor), Caro (aka SplitYarn), Laura, Kristi, Ysolda, Jessica (aka Frecklegirl), Amanda, me and Deb.

Cliff Haack (aka Vogue), a Skacel sales rep, models a HiKoo Simplicity sweater in the TNNA fashion show.

 Ingrid and Hans Skacel ride the carousel with Rob.

I also loved seeing yarn shop owners that I had met previously when shopping in their stores.  I can’t travel anywhere without checking out a LYS or two!  I also had the pleasure of meeting many of the yarn shop owners from all over the country that supply knitters with great Skacel products.

It’s been a great first few days on the job, and I am really looking forward to shaping the yarns and products that come out in the near future! 

The first person to read this and email me will get their choice of a free addi circular needle!  Just email me at chuck@skacelknitting.com and put welcome in the subject line.    

Knit on!

Chuck

Happy 100th Issue Knitter’s!

Knitter's Zinio Download

Hello All,

skacel would like to wish Knitter’s Magazine a very “Happy 100th Issue”. As one of the premiere knitting and needle arts related magazines in the industry, Knitter’s provides its readers with a continuous supply of patterns, ideas, new techniques, cutting-edge products, and more.

During the STITCHES East 2010 show, Knitter’s Magazine unveiled their newly redesigned collector’s edition of Knitter’s Magazine (issue #K100).  And along with their new look, Knitter’s also went digital! Partnering with Zinio, a global leader in the digital magazine newsstand market, Knitter’s is now able to bring their magazine directly to digital media such as Mac, PC, and iPad, which is great for those tech-savvy knitters.  And if that wasn’t enough, as a “thank you” to their adoring fans, Knitter’s is offering this first digital collector’s issue at no cost!

skacel is proud to be a part of this milestone issue, with two exciting designs featuring skacel yarns.  First up is the playful Trifecta pullover, designed by Kathy Zimmerman.  To quote Kathy, this design “[hits] the jackpot with a fabric that combines three colors and three stitch patterns.  The wide collar and cotton/wool blend yarn make for comfortable year round dressing”.  Trifecta is worked out of Schulana’s Merino Cotton 90, a wonderful cotton/wool blend.

The second design is an awe inspiring Purple Reign vest, designed by Penny Ollman.  Penny notes that, “regal coloring and shaping define this vest.  The fine gauge and fancy stitch-work make this an investment piece, worthy of any wardrobe style”.  Purple Reign is worked out of Zitron’s Lifestyle.  Lifestyle is a solid, yet soft, 100% wool creation and a staple in our collection.

To take advantage of this monstrous issue and all of the patterns available to you, simply download the digital edition of #K100 and the Zinio reader service by clicking here.

Don’t delay … log on, log in, and enjoy this exciting new issue today!

Happy Knitting!

Twenty Years of Zitron Trekking Knit Along and Contest

Can you believe that it’s been 20 years since Zitron first introduced his Trekking sock yarns to the market?  Since its introduction, Trekking has found a home in nearly every sock knitter’s stash.  One of the highest quality sock yarns on the market, Trekking is a true staple.

To celebrate this milestone, skacel is proud to announce the upcoming Twenty Years of Zitron Trekking Knit Along and Contest, hosted by Michelle Hunter of Knit Purl Hunter.  The Knit Along (KAL) will begin in January of 2011 and end on July 15^th.  Each month a new one skein project will be featured, which will introduce knitters to different techniques.  Instructions for the projects will be posted in increments at www.knitpurlhunter.com on a weekly basis, along with educational “how-to” video clips.  Each week, a little more of the pattern will be revealed.

For those knitters participating in the KAL, there will also be weekly and monthly prizes awarded, culminating in July with the Grand Prize.  The winner of the Grand Prize will receive a weekend getaway to Seattle for two people, including a trip to skacel and a $1,000 yarn and needle shopping spree in the skacel warehouse!

January's project uses Trekking XXL, Color: "Susanne". Knitters will be making a toe-up sock.

 

Detailed information on the KAL can be downloaded at www.skacelknitting.com.  Registration forms to enter each contest will be made available over the next few weeks.  To provide all knitters with a chance to obtain KAL supplies, skacel has also added a link to the site which will be updated on a daily basis.  There you will find shops in your area that stock the monthly supplies.  Many of these shops also do mail-order!

Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to be a part of Twenty Years of Trekking!  From exciting designs to exciting prizes, you’re sure to have a blast.  And who knows…you and a guest might find yourselves on the way to Seattle!